HAMBURG – Honoring its 22-year tradition of recognizing an individual or organization that has been “an instrument of positive change in society,” Immaculata Academy has selected the Kathleen Mary House to receive the Mater Christi Award at Carols and Cocktails: A Mater Christi event on Friday, Nov. 13 at Lucarelli’s Banquet Facility in Lackawanna. Immaculata Academy president, Sr. Jean M. Cherry, FSSJ, is the honorary chairwoman of the event.

The Kathleen Mary House is a transitional house located in the southtowns of Buffalo. It serves women and their children who are victims of domestic violence and need safe, short-term housing. When women are brave enough to escape, they should have alternatives to going back to the abuse and violence.

The Kathleen Mary House is more than just a place to live; it is a place of new beginnings, a place that will teach the women and children how to break the cycle of violence, restoring their dignity and teaching them the life skills needed to lead self-sufficient, rewarding lives. Its mission is: “To provide a safe nurturing family environment and specifically designed programs to break the cycle of domestic violence and provide life skills which will enable them to lead productive lives.”

True to the Academy’s belief of honoring the past, but looking to the future, a fresh format for the Mater Christi Award Dinner is being introduced. Immaculata is transitioning from a formal dinner and program to an informal evening filled with the warmth and excitement of the approaching holiday season. Carols & Cocktails: A Mater Christi event features bistro-style dining with delicious food stations and refreshing cocktails accompanied by the beautiful strains of holiday music performed by the elite choral group, Vox Caeciliae. In addition to recognizing and honoring the Kathleen Mary House, guests will have an opportunity to mix, mingle and munch, and to enter raffles for marvelous gift baskets and cash prizes. Proceeds will provide scholarships for deserving young women at Immaculata.

Those interested in attending the event or becoming a sponsor may contact Immaculata Academy’s Office of Institutional Advancement at 648-4307.